#don’t answer the doorbell don’t look on the front porch speech SO MANY TIMES

[likelylarks]

all of the black lines are the same place, i.e. where i fucking live!!! but do i have it yet?? for the third day in a row,, it has gotten on the truck and been driven around and then been taken BACK to the facility,,,, so no!!! and i’m about to lose my fucking mind

[stephicness]

PROTOCOL (Chapter 2) -- Android AU! (Ravus Nox Fleuret x Reader)

Haha, wow, I can make that title really long!

But hey! Finally moved along to part two! :D Didn’t quite introduce another important character yet, but you’ll get to meet two of them within the next chapter! Thanks for being so patient with me when I’ve been writing this. I hope to keep writing this for you more when it comes to this story!

For now, enjoy Chapter 2 of PROTOCOL! C:

Previous Chapters: CHAPTER ONE

Ringing, knocking, a chipper ‘Yoo-hoo!’ in the late morning were among the many distractions you usually blocked out of your hearing when you were focused on your repairs. As the schedule dictated, from 8 AM to about noon, you would dedicate yourself solely to doing repairs on the androids you were commissioned to repair. Noon until 1 PM was lunch, and then you were back doing repairs or mods until one of your nightly primetime dramas started.

Today was The Cor Aegis, which was one with a Cor-X model repurposed for the sci-fi action show. You had to find out if the evil prince Loqi was going to exact his revenge on the hero or rejecting his proposal to be his wife! Odd show, but you liked it.

Even so, work had to come first. Even if you just wanted to binge watch the show in your underwear again as you waited for the next episode. No amount of knocking, ringing, shouting, or greetings could disrupt you. Especially when this Roomba wasn’t going to fix itself!

You reached over with your foot, pushing open the door from the garage entrance with it and shouting into the house as loud as you could. “RAVUS, GET THE DOOR!” You caught the door again with your foot and gently shut it as you focused again.

“Ya know, it’s been real nice havin’ Rae around here with us.” Cindy held up the mechanical arm she was working on, sticking her fingers into the connection port with her eyes flickering slightly. From just the small shock she gave it, the arm began to twitch its fingers, provoking a loud ‘Aha!’ from her. “Been nice not ta be able to focus.”

“Mhm… Could use more focus though…” You carefully pulled some of the wires from the small vacuum device. You just had to make sure that the wires got back into place, and the device should be able to move again. Just some wires that got jumbled up when your client’s dog decided that it was a giant frisbee… That didn’t fly in the air. You just sort of assumed that the dog wasn’t the smartest creature in the world, unfortunately. “Just let me stick these back in, and you’ll be able to walk again, little guy.”

With your small set of pliers, you pulled the wire aside, looking for where to reconnect it. And when you found the place, you moved the wire to connect it slowly… Carefully…

And SLAM!

You jolted from the loud noise, arms shooting up as reflect and the wire you wanted to connect pulling itself out with you. You stared at the wire for a split second before you heard the little device beginning to beep rapidly. Just before you could look down at it, the device bolted forward and into your torso before it clattered to the floor. “Son of a-!” You coughed a bit in pain before you looked down at the stupid Roomba on the floor. Well… It was moving along like it hadn’t been damaged to begin with. Just scooting along as if brand new. Your eyes narrowed at the little thing. This was the thanks that you got for trying to fix it? Asshole.

“What the heck was that?” You looked over to Cindy, who seemed more fascinated by the arm that she was tampering with than the noise you had heard. You let out a sigh, shaking your head in response. Well, at least she can get some more work done while you got investigate. Tossing your pliers onto your desk, you pushed your safety glasses up into your hair and went inside the house.

Needless to say, the man you asked to check on the door was standing there by the window nearby the front door. The way he stood there, eyes narrowed as if glaring at something intense was outside. He honestly reminded you of a cat with how often Ravus was perched at the window. If you gave him a pedestal to perch on, he probably would use it, you were sure. You squinted at the window for a moment before you cleared your throat.

No movement or response from Ravus.

Of course… When he was focused he didn’t answer you either. You seemed to have a knack for attracting androids who like to ignore you.

“Ravus?” The silver-haired man’s eyes shot over to you. Always with such an intense stare, it gave you the shivers every time. But it was always calmed down with how his expression softened whenever he noticed it was you. Well, at least he was getting used to seeing you. And getting used to not roasting your microwave. So seeing how he calmed himself, you smiled at him, even if you were shrouding a bit of annoyance from having been interrupted by work. “Was there someone at the door?”

“Yes, but I have rid them from your presence.”

You blinked rapidly and tilted your head at him. “I’m sorry, you did what?”

Ravus tilted his head at you in return. “I simply took the most appropriate course of action to combat a potentially threatening scenario. With how aggressive your neighbor was trying to assault your door, I assumed that something was wrong and would endanger you as a result.”

“Yeah, but why?”

“To ensure your safety and well-being. I simple said that should they continue their persistence in knocking, I will not hesitate to eliminate them on sight as a means of self-defense.”

“So then you slammed the door on them?”

“Correction: I told him that they were being a nuance. And then I slammed the door on them.”

“What?! Ravus, no!”

You had to rub your temples in frustration. Such conversations like these seemed to be more of a daily occurrence the longer you had the RAV-N0X prototype residing with you. As far as you can tell, it wasn’t even an official month since you repaired him, and already he seemed to be making things rather antagonistic for you in your household. From constantly replacing kitchen appliances to training the android just how to be civil of all things, it was like taking care of a dog. An overly-protective dog with a knack for making things worse than they already are.

You could deal with replacing toasters and all (especially with the discounts you get after helping to fix-up the SOPH-E Air android that usually helps run the appliance store). But you couldn’t necessarily deal with not even being able to brush your teeth without your android roommate doing something over-the-top to ‘ensure your safety and well-being.’ Your neighbor hardly deserved that. At least, you hoped they didn’t… Ravus hardly did anything to help you and your sudden paranoia about people that come to ring your doorbell.

You let out a heavy sigh. “I’m going to have to chase them down now… Did they at least say why they were here?”

“It was something along the lines of needing an audience with you about an important matter.”

“Then you should have let them in!”

“Not without verifying an appointment with me.”

“I’m pretty sure they don’t even know you’re living here!”

“Contrary, my visual recordings note that they assumed that I am an attendant of your home, referring to me as, quote: ‘Like, a boyfriend or something.’”

You were taken aback and caught off guard. Really? How could they not tell that Ravus wasn’t a human? He had a metallic purple arm for goodness sakes! But you let out a deep breath to calm down the annoyance, cheeks reddening a bit as you glanced aside. Cute though that they thought Ravus was your boyfriend. If he was human, you would kill to date someone that handsome.

“Upon further analysis of your neighbor, however, I have come to the assumption that they are – according to Urban Dictionary – a gossipy bitch.”

And this… Was probably why you wouldn’t want to date a guy like Ravus if a human version of him existed… He said some rude things. You shook your head out and moved past the android with a huff. “Gossipy bitch or not, my neighbors could also be potential clients, you know. And at this rate, I kind of need them if I wanna keep living here.” You stuffed your feet into your boots, stomping yourself into them while you took your jacket up from the wall. You opened up the front door, staring at the towering android as you gestured with your arm. “Well? Let’s go.”

“Why would I need to accompany you? As you mentioned before, your neighbors supposedly do not know I reside here.”

“You made it your point that they do know. Besides, you need to apologize to them.”

“I do not see a reason to when I was merely following protocol.”

“Well, I do! Humans don’t give people death threats for knocking on doors.”

“The knock itself was approximately 3.2 times more forceful than it should have been, indicating urgency or violence within it.”

“Well, I’ll never know if they were being violent or urgent now that you sent them away.” You let out a sigh of exasperation, clearly not getting anywhere with Ravus. You shook your head before you turned back towards the door. “You can’t predict everything bad that’s gonna happen, you know. I could get attacked as soon as I leave the house, and you wouldn’t be able to stop it.”

You were barely able to finish your thought before Ravus quickly stepped up to you, the violet replacement arm of his quickly shooting out to block you from the doorway as he stood in front of you protectively. His eyes flashed with a brief violet before fading out – just as the light on your porch surged bright then shattered itself. You jolted in surprise, instinctively gripping onto Ravus’s arm before you groaned and pushed it away. “Ravus, what the hell?!”

“If your neighbor is truly a threat, then your life may be in danger.”

“If anything, you’re going to end up scaring me to death before anything dangerous happens to me!”

“Actually, in a statistical sense-“

“It’s a figure of speech, Ravus.” At this rate, Ravus would keep you from even so much leaving the house to get your mail. And with how urgent your neighbor sounded, you had to do something to get the android to budge. Even using his name command, it was still spotty about whether he listened to you or not. It made you begin to wonder if his virtual intelligence was acting up or he was just installed with a really opinionated one. You’d have to do research on it later.

You pressed your lips together in thought. Research can come later. What mattered now was getting Ravus to move so you can see your neighbor. So you thought for a moment, a longer moment, and an even longer one before you realized that, holy Astral hell. Ravus was not budging. Even amongst the awkward silence, he just stood there, still like a barricade as you stood behind him. Really? Was there really something out there that was that dangerous? No. The most danger that you’ve had in your neighborhood was when Ravus came barreling through your window. You couldn’t help but turn around and eye the tacky green rug the covered-up the remains of black in your carpet. Yup… That was the only dangerous thing.

But you’ve had enough of this. You’d leave the house one way or another, and you’d make Ravus to apologize to your neighbor one way or another. You reached out, placing your hand on top of Ravus’s arm to get his attention. As expected, his mismatched eyes locked themselves onto you as you stared back at him. You wouldn’t take no for an answer as you began to take his hand into your own and firmly grasp it. He looked down at it, attempting to shake his hand free, but you still held on. “No. You’re going to apologize to my neighbor, whether you want to or not. That’s an order from me. Do I make myself clear, Ravus?”

This seemed to trigger something in Ravus, his eyes both flashing with a blue color as his furrowed eyebrows eased and his expression softened. It seemed that triggered his command code. You just had to be adamant with him, it seemed. But even after he registered the command, his expression turned into a grumpy frown before he turned his head away. “Understood…” He didn’t make much of an effort to fight off your hold anymore, perhaps worried about whether he would harm you as a result, but you still took what little victories you could get as you began to lead him out of your house and across the street to your neighbor’s house.

Your neighbor’s home was much nicer looking in comparison to your own, but perhaps it was because the lawn was neatly trimmed, rose bushes around the walkway gave the house a lot of life, and… Well, there wasn’t a sheet covering their window as you still tried to find someone to replace your window. It seemed proper, especially for someone living alone. It made you a little envious, considering that you couldn’t get Cindy to do the yardwork even if it was the only function her VI understood. She would much rather take apart the lawnmower rather than use it.

Maybe you can command Ravus to fix the yard. You made a mental note of that for later.

But once you got up to the front door, you let go of Ravus’s hand, looking up at him as you fixed up the sad excuse for clothing you had put him in. The old man in the house behind you was nice enough to lend you some of his old clothing from his ‘young and wild days’ to give to Ravus, but they definitely weren’t Ravus’s style. You were pretty sure floral dress shirts and brightly colored bell-bottoms weren’t even in style anymore, but they were something other than the torn-up white thing that Ravus was found in. You’d have to make a note to find him better clothes. If you could leave the house for more than five minutes without something going wrong, that is.

“Okay, so remember to be nice. You don’t have to smile when you apologize, but at least try to be sincere.”

Eyebrows furrowed in response. “How does one be sincere? Sincerity implies as if I have the capacity of caring about an apology.”

“Ravus.”

He let out a sigh in response, eyes flashing blue for a split second before he nodded. “I understand. I have conducted research, and will attempt to be ‘sincere.’”

“Thank you, Ravus. It won’t take us that long. Promise.” You pat down his collar before you rang the doorbell, stepping back next to Ravus, eying him from your peripheral vision just in case he tried to make a break for it.

You could hear a small bit of commotion from the other side of the door. Noises that seemed muffled, but audible enough to be heard as ‘A visitor! Gotta get the door!’ Exuberant in their greetings, from the sounds of it. The door jimmied itself a bit before it swung open and a bright smile greeted you. Blond-hair curled up and spiked like waves of gold that made you jealous of how healthy it looked, blue eyes staring at the two of you in awe and excitement, freckles that sparkled just like the young man’s eyes… There was something quite captivating about the young man than opened the door.

“Visitors! Welcome!”

Wait a second…

You opened your mouth to respond, but Ravus stepped forward already. “There is something that I must do before you welcome us.” He was a behemoth in comparison to the blond in the doorway, but not for long as he knelt before the young man, taking his hand into his own two as he looked up with a gentleness in his eyes.

“I wish to apologize to you… For my outburst against you and for the fear I incited within you. It was heartless of me to reject you without a second thought, and for that I wish for your forgiveness. I promise to never let you feel shut out by me – to feel as if you have to handle your endeavors alone.” He squeezed the other man’s hand tighter, bringing it to his lips before he kissed the back of it with a chaste kiss. “You may not wish to accept my apology, but please know that I am sorry, from the bottom of my heart.”

Silence was given in response to Ravus’s words.

“…Why are you not saying anything?” Ravus’s eyebrows furrowed before he turned to look up at you. “Why is he not responding? Why are you concealing your face with your hands?”

You croaked out a groan in response. “Because that’s not my neighbor.”

Ravus paused, eyes flashing violet for a split second as he looked up at the blond. He seemed to analyze the young man before him longer than anticipated to come to the realization that perhaps this wasn’t your neighbor. But both were blond, right? Both had blue eyes? Both were skinny and freckled? He always saw this young man retrieving the newspaper from the driveway, collect the mail from the box, return home with an arm full of groceries and other items. He was certain this was your neighbor.

…Right?

[zarcake-writes]

The Commander’s Babysitter

Part 9! This is the beginning of several angsty chapters. Keep an eye out on the warnings everyone.

Warnings: Mention of child abuse and spousal abuse

It’s been two years since the proposal and the wedding. The wedding was small, with only a few people there. The kids were obviously there, along with Ana, Fareeha, Jack, your parents as well as Gabe’s. The reception was larger, it included your family and many of Gabe’s family and coworkers, who were all Overwatch members. Jack mentioned in his best man’s toast how you both met, he even brought the damn pan with him. He was blushing and he even began to cry during the speech.

Gabe and you spent a week away from the kids and enjoyed your small honeymoon, which meant you both didn’t leave the hotel room often. Each night he would hold you close and tell you how happy you made him and how he’s going to do everything he can to keep you happy. You only kissed his nose and told him, “Keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll be happy for the rest of my life.”

After you and Gabe got home from your honeymoon, the kids asked for you to adopt them. Gabe was standing behind them; he looked nervous. You said yes and cried harder than you did at your own wedding. You signed the paperwork, Gabe signed and kissed you, and the kids looked so happy to have a mom on paper, course you had proven to be their mom long ago. Gabe got the paperwork to be rushed and before you knew it, you were legally their mom.

Jesse was now fourteen and just starting high school, he wasn’t the most studious of kids but with your help you ensured he passed and you made sure he studied hard. He even joined the school’s wrestling team and had plans of joining Overwatch with his dad after high school, you hoped he would go to college instead. But you knew that wouldn’t happen, he had his mind already made up to be like his father. He was as stubborn as the man too.

Sombra was in seventh grade now, and just as rebellious as you imagined she would be. She spent much of her time arguing with Gabe and challenging anything that was said to her. You didn’t scold her often, but when she did mess up you were there to help her, and to give her the ‘I told you so look’. She would only huff and look away, stubborn like her father and brother. Her clothing was becoming more punk like, and Gabe would roll his eyes at the music she listened to.

“I don’t get her music.” He grumbled one day to you. Sombra was up in her room listening to music you knew she would get into.

“You upset she isn’t listening to the metal you listened too?”

“That was music, this is trash.” He said motioning to her closed door. He frowned at the screaming and the screeching noises mixed in with what sounded like techno music.

“Oh Gabe, you sound so old.” You laughed as you walked past him and down the stairs.

“Watch it, I’m not that old. I can still fuck you into the mattress.” He growled behind you.

“You can for now.” You winked at him, he gave you a smirk and chased you into the kitchen.

Gabe would still go away for work for a few weeks at a time, sometimes he was gone for several months. Most of the time he would come home with bruises and new scars while others he came home in his uniform. You always worried for him when he left, you knew he did dangerous work for Overwatch. He even confided in you one night he was part of a different branch of Overwatch, he called it Blackwatch. His work involved guns and hurting people. Work that made him worry for you and the kids, he taught you and Jesse how to shoot a gun and he made sure you and kids knew how to fend off an attacker.

He had been gone for almost a week this time, leaving you alone with Sombra and Jesse. You were in the kitchen waiting for Jesse to call you to pick him up, his wrestling practice was over at five. You glanced at the clock and saw it was 4:20. You snorted at the time but went back to looking at your phone.

“Hey mom, what’s for dinner?” Sombra asked walking into the kitchen.

“I don’t feel like cooking. What about pizza?” you suggested.

“Oh, hell yeah.” She said sitting at the island with you.

“Language mija.”

“You say it.”

“I’m older than you.” you said glancing at her.

“Fine. I’m hungry.” She whined dramatically.

“When your brother calls, can you order the pizza while I go get him?”

“Yeah mom.”

“Great.” You said.

The doorbell ringing distracted you, you glanced towards the door and felt a strange feeling overcome you. The hairs on the back of your neck rose and you had the urge to run out of the house with Sombra, when Sombra went to answer the door you grabbed her tightly.

“Ow mom-”

“Sombra hush. Stay here, if I tell you to call the police you do.” You said, she looked at you in concern. Never had she heard that edge in your voice. It scared her, it scared her to see your face drawn down in a scowl, it scared her to see fear in your eyes.

You went to the door and looked out the peephole, there was a tall shaggy looking man standing on your porch. You opened the door, even though every fiber in your body warned you not too. You opened it but kept yourself ready to slam it shut. The man’s eyes lit up when he saw you, he was wearing a long sleeve shirt with a denim jacket over it, the sleeves of the denim jacket were cut off.

On the front of the denim jacket there was a one percent patch on his left shoulder, beneath it was a small patch that was a skull with wings and a lock beneath it. The other patches you didn’t understand, some were dates and others were abbreviations. You noticed his beard was messy and his hair was shoulder length and greasy. He had tattoos on his neck and his forearm. He looked oddly familiar…

“Can I help you?” you asked, keeping your voice flat.

“Howdy miss, I’m looking for a Gabriel Reyes.” He asked smiling, you saw through the smile. The hairs on the back of your neck stayed up.

“No one is here by that name.” you said, he frowned and looked at a paper in his hand.

“Are you sure?”

“This is my home. I’ve lived here for fifteen years, so yes I’m sure.” You said a bit rudely, he pursed his lips. He seemed annoyed and you were nervous, why was he asking for your husband?

“Oh well I’m sorry to disturb you doll.” He said nodding towards you, “I’ll be on my way then.”

“Alright.” You said, never breaking eye contact with him.

He stepped away from you and turned slowly. You saw the motorcycle he arrived on, it looked like it was taken care of, no doubt it was the only thing this man prized. On the back of his denim jacket was a larger version of the skull patch on the front of his jacket. Above the skull with wings were the words Deadlock Rebels, and below it was Santa Fe, NM. He froze when he stepped past Gabe’s bike, he turned and began examining it, “Whose bike is this?”

“My fathers,” you said stepping onto your porch and closing the door behind you, “He bought it a long time ago, doesn’t ride it often.”

“It’s one hell of a ride.” He said checking it out. Gabe hadn’t ridden it in a while, but it was a nice bike, not that you knew much about motorcycles, “Anyways I’ll get out of your hair doll.” He continued towards his own bike. He got on it and started it up, he glanced at you and winked. He drove off and you quickly went back inside and locked the door. You realized who he resembled.

“Mom? Who was that?” Sombra asked from the kitchen, your phone was in her hands.

“I don’t know. Mija, go upstairs and get a bag and pack some clothes. We’re going to spend the night at a motel tonight.”

“Mom why?”

“Sombra, please. Do what I’m asking.” You snapped, she froze when she saw your face. She nodded her head and ran upstairs. When she was gone you grabbed your phone and called Gabe. He didn’t answer. You called another four times and he still didn’t answer. You called Jack and sighed in relief when he answered.

“(Y/N)?”

“Jack! Thank goodness you answered. Look I tried getting a hold of Gabe, but he didn’t answer. Some creepy biker came to the house, and I got a bad feeling from the guy. I can’t ignore this feeing. I’m taking the kids to a motel for the night.”

“What did he look like?” Jack asked, you were glad he was taking you seriously.

“He was tall, light skin guy with greasy brown hair and a beard. He had tattoos on his neck and forearm, the patch on the back of his jacket said Deadlock.” You said.

“Alright, get the kids somewhere you think they’ll be safe. I’ll call you in an hour, answer alright?” he said quickly, the change in his voice scared you more than you already were.

“Alright, bye Jack.” You hung up and ran up the stairs. Sombra was leaving her room with a bag on her back and her laptop in her hand. You took her into Jesse’s room as you quickly packed him a bag of clothes. You grabbed his teddy bear from his shelf and held Sombra’s hand as you both went downstairs. You made sure to lock every window and door in the house.

“Mom? Where are we going?” Sombra asked as you guided her out the front door, you were so happy not to see that damn biker.

“To get your brother.” You said as you locked the door and started up the SUV. You put Sombra’s and Jesse’s bag in the back of the car and quickly made sure Sombra was buckled in. She looked nervous, her laptop on her lap.

You drove to Jesse’s high school and picked him up early from his practice, he seemed confused and then he got worried when you drove them to a hotel. It was a very nice hotel, you and Gabe would often go here when you two needed a break from the kids. This place would be safe, you made sure to tell the people at the front desk to only allow your husband up to you room. Sombra gave her brother a nervous look but he kept quiet until you three got in your room.

“Mom? What happened?” Jesse asked, you glanced at him and gave him a soft smile. Jesse’s hair was tied up and he was sweaty, you noticed the beginning of facial hair on his face, he’ll have to shave the little bit he had for wrestling. In a few years, he’ll probably have a full-on beard.

“There was a creepy man at the house today, I guess I got a little spooked and I just wanted to make sure we’ll be safe. Now go shower, I’ll order us room service.” You said smiling, Jesse and Sombra only nodded their heads and went about their business.

Jack called you when it reached the hour mark, he sounded relieved to hear your voice, “Gabe will call you later tonight. Where are you?” he asked. You told him the hotel and the address, “Do you need anything? Are you alright?” he questioned.

“We’re fine right now Jack.” You said softly, you had an image of him loading the rifle you’ve seen him with and getting ready to show up to the hotel.

“Alright, if anything happens call me.”

“I will Jack, thank you.”

The rest of the night was spent watching tv and eating food. Jesse ordered a burger, Sombra wanted chicken nuggets and fries and you picked at your chicken. For dessert, the kids ordered ice cream, chocolate cake, and strawberries. Once the third movie ended, it was almost midnight, it was time for bed.

“Goodnight mija,” you told Sombra giving her a kiss.

“Night mom.” She said.

“Night mijo,” you told Jesse as you hugged him, you kissed his forehead.

“Night ma. Are you alright?”

“Yes honey, go to sleep.” You said smiling. The kids went to their separate rooms and you went to the couch.

When Gabe called you, it was almost two in the morning. You took the call in the hallway.

“Hello?”

“Mi reina, what happened? Are the kids ok? Are you ok?”

“We’re fine love. I got scared of some guy who came to the door today. He gave me a bad feeling, I had to get the kids out of there.”

“What did he look like?” Gabe sounded worried, you could imagine his face pulled down into a frown.

“He was tall, light skinned guy. He had tattoos on his neck and his arm, shaggy brown hair and a beard. He was a damn biker. Gabe why is a damn one percenter asking for you?” you asked. The other side of the line was silent for a moment.

“What?”

“He was wearing a biker jacket. He had the one percent patch on his chest and his back had a patch that said Deadlock Rebels. He asked for you. I told him you didn’t live there, but he checked out your bike. He left after I lied to him. Gabe who is he?”

“He’s no one.” He said curtly, but you briefly heard him say fuck under his breath.

“No one? Gabe why does he look like our son?” you hissed.

“Fuck. Listen to me. I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Don’t leave the hotel with the kids, I’ll be there tomorrow.”

“You better explain everything Gabriel.” You growled.

“I will mi amor. I promise. Get some rest.”

“I’ll try.” You said. You hung up the phone and went back into the room. You were relieved to see both kids were asleep.

 The next morning you told both kids to sleep in, they happily agreed and rolled back over. Gabe showed up an hour later, the knock on the door scared you. When you saw it was him through the peep hole you flung the door open. You were so happy to see your husband. He was wearing his beanie, his combat boots, his tactical pants, and his usual gray hoodie. You were surprised he didn’t show up with his shotguns or body armor.

“I’m glad you’re safe.” Gabe said holding you tightly, “Where are the kids?”

“Still asleep. I’m so glad you’re here.” You said holding him tighter, “Gabe, who is that man?”

“His name is John McCree. He’s… he’s Jesse’s biological father.” He said snarled, you could see the disgust in your husband’s eyes.

“What?”

“He was supposed to be in jail. Look we’ll talk about this later. Someone broke into the house last night after you all left. I got a call from the security company and the police, the house is a wreck.”

“Oh my god. It was him.” You gasped, tears coming to your eyes.

“Look I’m taking you and the kids away for a few weeks. I’m glad you trusted your gut.” He said holding you close, you could feel him trembling slightly, whether it was from anger or fear you didn’t know.

“Go wake up the kids. They’ll be happy to see you.” you said kissing him softly.

The rest of the morning went by quickly, he explained to the kids your feeling was correct. The house was broken into to, but that didn’t matter. You three were safe. The kids were worried about what was taken, Jesse glanced at his stuffed bear that was peeking out of his bag. Sombra was worried about her gaming system, she had a game she still hadn’t beaten.

After that you all went out for breakfast. The kids were so happy to be with their dad, and you were happy to be having breakfast with your family. Gabe was doing his best to keep you and the kids calm by acting like nothing bad happened, he was asking Jesse about his wrestling practice. He was asked Sombra if she had been behaving and how here school work was going. You were happy, but you kept looking over your shoulder. Gabe noticed and he would squeeze your hand.

Gabe drove back to the house while you and the kids stayed at the hotel. He got some clothes for everyone and brought them back, you noticed he had a small amount of your clothes and his. He shook his head when you gave him a questioning look. After that you all headed up north. Gabe had a summer house in the country that he said would be safe. You were still worried.

The drive took a long time, once you got to the house you breathed in the fresh air and relaxed a bit, but you stiffened when you realized how far the nearest city was. The nearest house was a half mile away and the city was almost ten miles away. That wasn’t that far, but it still made you nervous. If you and the kids weren’t safe in the suburbs, you three weren’t safe anywhere.

The kids took their stuff to their rooms and were excited for the several weeks’ vacation. They were under the impression the police needed time to go over the crime scene and try to find any evidence. You made sure they would do their homework though, even if this was a vacation of sorts. It was later that night, with the kids asleep in their rooms, that Gabe sat you down in your shared room. He told you everything.

“I found Jesse in New Mexico during an Overwatch raid of a gang called Deadlock Rebels. He was five years old when I found him. I heard his cries, followed them to a locked door and I broke it down. He was bruised, malnourished, and terrified of me. He was covered in dirt and his clothes were ripped, they were almost falling off him he was so thin. He was clutching that sheriff bear in his hands.

“His father would beat him and would lock him in that room as punishment. He eventually told me what happened to his mom. She was Navajo, and she somehow got involved with his father, I think he kidnapped her. I tried finding her, to see if she was alive. But I found nothing, all I found was a missing person's report from her parents. They died before I could take Jesse to see them. She had no other family that I could find. The man was abusive to her and to him. Jesse told me she protected him one night from his father’s wrath and he never saw her again. That bear is all he has left of her.”

“Why isn’t he in jail?” you asked, tears coming to your eyes.

“He was. He escaped, and now he wants Jesse back. He knows I took him, he remembers me. I remember him screaming that Jesse belonged to the gang and he wanted him, when Jesse heard his voice he clung tightly to me. The way he cried broke my heart. I had never seen a child so afraid of a person. I asked Jesse who that man was and he told me that was his father, then he begged me not to go back to his father. I’ll admit it, I was able to abuse my power. I beat the shit out of him, I would have killed him if I didn’t stop myself. I fucking should have.

“It took a long time for Jesse to trust me fully. I had adopted Sombra before I adopted him, she was only one year’s old when I found her. So, when I brought him home she was a rambunctious three-year-old. Jesse instantly took it upon himself to keep an eye on her, he didn’t fully trust me at that time. I think he thought I would be like his father. But seeing her run to me and seeing how I was with her, it showed him I could be trusted. Fareeha and Ana were huge helps too. Course, there were days he would hide with Sombra under the bed. I’m glad Jesse wasn’t there that day when he came to the door.” Gabe sighed.

“Why does he want Jesse back?”

“To him, Jesse is his property, just like his mother was. I’m glad you didn’t come back to the house with me.”

“Why?”

“He wrote whore above your side of the bed, and he left a property patch on your pillow. He destroyed most of our clothes. He destroyed my bike, stripped it of all usable parts. Almost every picture of us with the kids was destroyed, some of them were burned. Sombra’s room was ripped apart, her gaming system was smashed to pieces, there was a property patch on her pillow too. But Jesse’s room was untouched. Except that picture of us in Greece, it was on the floor broken.”

“Oh my god,” You said, “Are we safe here?”

“Yes. Jack and Ana will be up in a few weeks, until then I’m not going to leave you and the kids. I’ll be here every step of the way. I promise.” He said kissing your forehead.

“Were any of your guns stolen?”

“No. He didn’t find the safes. When the alarm in the house went off, it locks down my office completely. I got back in there and moved all the Overwatch and important papers out of there, I have them with us now. I brought the guns too.”

“Alright.” You said wrapping your arms around him.

You couldn’t rid yourself of that feeling that you would see that man again. You wouldn’t let anything happen to your kids, you would endure any torture or pain to protect them. Even if it meant you would die.

[mbavholidayexchange]

to @loftydreamsproductions from @dxlilith

title: did you miss me?

rating: general audiences

summary:

She knows if Sarah was anywhere in Whitechapel it would be at Ethan Morgan’s house. Cleaning up his and Benny’s mess or saving them or actually babysitting Jane.

ao3 link: link

content:

Erica stands under Micky’s Pawn Shop awning staring at the black screen of her phone. It died a while ago despite telling herself several times throughout the day to charge it. She hadn’t so much as found an outlet. She lets out a sigh of frustration and almost chucks the phone against a brick wall but remembers at the last second that this is her third one this month.

The sky is falling. A thunderstorm not once predicted by any meteorologist this week in full swing. It put a literal damper on things but Erica was determined to make this work. If only she could get a hold of Sarah. She debates internally about just setting out. She knows if Sarah was anywhere in Whitechapel it would be at Ethan Morgan’s house. Cleaning up his and Benny’s mess or saving them or actually babysitting Jane.

“Fine.” She says out loud, shoving her useless phone into her jacket pocket and running out in the direction of the Morgan home. Despite the use of her vampiric speed, rain was still rain and the two minutes it took her to make it onto the porch, she was soaked through. Thankfully an all black outfit would remain opaque when wet.

She rings the doorbell. Unlike Sarah and Rory, she had never once been invited in so she couldn’t just break through the door. She hears footsteps and the door swings open to a slightly confused Ethan.

“Erica! You’re looking...soggy.”

“Astute as ever dork. I’m not here to chitchat, is Sarah here or not?” She scans the entryway and finds Benny running up the stairs, gangly arms flailing to keep from falling upwards. A feat even Erica had to appreciate was hard to accomplish.

“Uh Sarah? No, uh...haven’t seen her since Friday at school.”

“Why are you lying to me?” Erica presses in, relishing in the fact that Ethan steps back to get away.

“Lying? I’d never lie to...”

“Listen here durfnerder.” Erica grabs Ethan by his shirt and pulls him up onto his tiptoes so that he is forced to look into her yellow eyes. “I can smell your lies and old spice. Where is Sarah?”

“Uhhh, I....um...she told...”

“Put him down Erica.”

Doing as she is told, Erica puts Ethan down into a heap on the floor to watch Sarah come down the stairs. She’s wearing a lilac dress that exposes her shoulders under her favorite denim vest. The hem floats up every step she takes down. Though her soft features are marred by the look of contempt on her face, she remains as beautiful as the day Erica met her in middle school.

“Hey Sarah, missed me?”

“Missed you? Missed you?! You disappear for weeks with zero communication! Of course I missed you, you asshole!” Sarah takes the last few steps two at a time and runs straight into Erica, wrapping her small arms around the taller girl’s waist. “I was so worried.”

“I’m okay. I had a few things to take care of.” Erica whispers, wrapping her arms around Sarah’s shoulders. This felt nice. It felt worth it. She lets herself be hugged and feels all the pent up rage and stress of the last three weeks disappear. She doesn’t even care that Ethan remains sat on the floor of his entryway, staring openingly. “Can we talk?”

“Yes. You have a lot of explaining to do.”

Erica probably would have picked a nicer place. Something with ambience and twinkling music. Somewhere where the soft candlelight would dance onto Sarah’s beautiful brown skin and alight her honey eyes. But the tacky and under-kept booth of

Whitechapel’s oldest diner would do just fine.

“At first I wasn’t worried. I figured you had found some guy to fixate on or went on a blood binge at the frat house again. But then, not even Rory had seen you and I got worried. You have no idea how many times I just stared at your last text. I was so scared bbl dnt wry would be the last thing you every said to me.” Sarah is rambling, worry obvious in her voice. Sure she’s smiling and eating her fries but Erica knew better.

“I’m sorry. I had...a lot on my plate.”

“So tell me! You’re my best friend. Forever remember?” Sarah wipes her hand on a dusty brown napkin and reaches out to place it on top of Erica’s.

“Not for long.”

“What?”

Erica doesn’t answer Sarah. She takes her hand away and goes into her pocket. She produces a rounded glass vial. It’s less than two ounces of a blue liquid capped with cork. “I left to find this for you.”

“For me?” Sarah looks at the vial but has no recognition. “What is it?”

“A cure.”

“What?”

“You ladies enjoying everything, need any....”

“No.” Both girls answer the waitress, immediately dismissing her without breaking eye contact with one another. When she backs away, Sarah is the first to speak.

“When you say cure, you don’t mean...”

“Juice to defang you? Yeah. That’s exactly what that is.”

“Where? What? How? Erica...”

“You told me that there was only one thing you wanted more than anything in the world and if it’s not me, I figured I could just get it for you.”

“Want you...Erica hold on. What makes you think I don’t want you? You are like the most important person in my life, vampire or not!”

Erica winces. She knows what Sarah means and it’s nice but not what she wants to hear. Now or never she thinks “Sarah, I...I love you. As more than a friend. More than a sister. I...I like...love love you.” There. She said it. Simpler than the grand speech with flowers and serenade she always pictured but easier than watching Sarah kiss someone else.

“Erica.” Sarah almost whispers, her lips parting at the last syllable

“It’s...it’s okay if you don’t feel the same. I, I get it. I, uh, I realized a while back that maybe I wasn’t so much into guys as I was into you. I...” Dream about you, fantasize about holding hands and kissing you and playing with your hair. Is what Erica wanted to say. “Anyway, I got this for you because I want you to be happy. It wasn’t that hard, just lots of finding old dudes and shaking them up for...” Erica doesn’t finish her sentence because there’s a clattering of plates and the sloshing of forgotten coffee onto the floor. There’s also a pair of soft, cool lips pressing onto hers.

Imagination has a funny way of playing out. Sometimes it follows reality as close to the letter as possible. Other times, people have wings and marry you with a gumball eyes. But in the end, imagination isn’t real. Sarah leaning her entire body across the diner table was.

“I’ll just clean this up then.” The waitress’s voice pulls the girls apart. She’s smiling but not making eye contact as she mops up the mess. Sarah sits back down, the apple of her cheeks pinkish as she covers her mouth with two hands. When the waitress finishes up, Erica finally has the nerve to speak.

“Did you kiss me because...”

“I feel the same way about you as you feel for me?”

“What about Ethan?”

“He’s nice. But he’s not you. I...uh...I realized I might be interested in girls as much as I am boys. In eighth grade.”

“Eight grade?!” Erica almost shouts.

“Yeah. You wore that pink dress with too many frills and your hair was a mess and you’d just gotten your braces taken off and I kinda couldn’t stop staring at you. You looked so beautiful and I, I just knew.”

“Sarah.”

“Why did it take so long for us to figure this out?” She chuckles, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. It reveal a small heart earring that Erica had gotten Sarah two months previously for her birthday.

“Maybe the durfnerders aren't the only dumb ones.” Erica smiles, leans her head against the palm of her hand when she puts her elbows on the table.

“Maybe. Maybe not as dumb as them but pretty close.” Sarah giggles and the sound of it trills into the unbeating heart inside Erica’s chest.

“So are you gonna, you know...” Erica eyes the vial then looks back at Sarah.

“I...I don’t know. I...it’s a lot to process.”

“What’s there to process? Drink this and it makes you human.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“You’re gonna stay a vampire, aren’t you?”

“Well yeah, I mean, I love it. You’re the one that never...”

“I’ll die.”

“What? No you won’t, I made sure to beat up all the right....oh.” Erica stops herself when she realizes what Sarah was referring to. “You mean because humans die.”

“Yeah.” Sarah looks down at her fries. They had shifted across her plate onto the placemat and table, tiny crystals of salt scattered everywhere.

“Vampires can die you know. We’ve gotten rid of a bunch of them ourselves.”

“Erica, you know what I mean."

“Can we just go back to the part where you’re kissing me?”

“We can, but I think I need a little more time on turning back into a human.”

“I don’t understand. You literally have been brooding from day one about being part of the fang gang and now you have an out that you don’t even have to share with ANYONE. I thought this is what you wanted.”

“It is? Was? I don’t know. I just, knowing that you share my feelings, I...vampires don’t age. I’d be all old and wrinkly and you would still look like this. I might grow jealous and resentful. I might grow to hate you.”

“That’s....woah.”

A silence befalls the table as neither girl knows what to say next. It stretches out like cobwebs in an abandoned shed. When the waitress comes by with the check, she frowns at the changed atmosphere. She scribbles something onto her pad and rips out both copies, placing one in front of each girl.

“Thank you.” Sarah says automatically, not really looking at the slip of paper.

“Sarah?” Erica says, holding up her copy. Sarah looks at it and looks down at hers where the same thing is written. It makes her smile.

“Love is about figuring it out, together.”

[kasl24]

Mistakes

         I walked into the school, with my head bowed down. I didn’t want to see anyone, I didn’t want anyone to see me, and I certainly didn’t want to bump into anyone. Of course, as usual, that was not an option. A few paces down the hall, and I ran into someone, causing both of us to fall to the ground. I got to my knees, and tried getting my things together, when a hand was extended towards me. I lifted my head, and brown eyes met my green ones. I took his hand, and he pulled me up.          “You okay?” The boy that I ran into asked. His chocolate brown eyes widen in worry. I took a step back, and because I was blocking the sunlight before, it now hit his brown hair, making it look like it was on fire. I realised I was staring, so I quickly averted my eyes.          “Y-yeah, I-I-I guess I’m f-fine.” I internally face-palmed. Curse my stupid speech disorder. Why can I not function properly?          “That’s good to know.” He let go of my arm, and smiled slightly. “I’m Jack, Jack Dylan.”          “A-ash—” I thought about it, and decided not to say that. My eyes rose up to meet his, before coming back down to my shoes again. “T-tilly”          “Nice to meet you, Tilly. What subject do you have first?”          “I-I-I don’t know. I’m o-on my way t-t-to the o-office.” My eyes darted around the hallway, at the different people around. Guys with slicked back hair walked around with girls practically hanging from their arms, and the nerds were literally being held up against the lockers, threatened by others. I looked back at Jack a bit, and back to my shoes. We stood there awkwardly until I decided to speak up. “W-well i-i-it was nice to meet you, J-j-jack. I sh-sh-should get g-going.”          He nodded slightly, but then lit up. “Hey, how about I walk you there. You might get lost, and this schools pretty big.”          “S-sure.” I  shrugged a bit. I didn’t really care, and to be honest, I could use a guide. Jack smiled, and put his hand around my shoulders.          “So, those are the dudes. Stay away from them. At least, until I introduce you. Then you’ll be fine. Those are the nerds. I wouldn’t go near them either. If you do……..well, it’s not gonna be too good, that’s all I’ll say.” I nodded, and slowly took in everything he said. Maybe, for once, I’ll actually fit in. Who am I kidding, that’s never gonna happen.                                                               *** Four months later           “Sh-shut up, Jack!” My face was beet red, and all the guys were laughing. Four months had passed since the day I ran into Jack Dylan on my way down the hall, and I've got to say; it’s been the best four months I've every had. That very day, Jack had taken me to meet his friends; the ones he told me to stay away from until he introduced us; Mike, Adam and Tom. I couldn’t be more grateful to have had run into Jack. Not that it didn't hurt.          “No, I’m not even joking! You turned down Kimberly Turner’s invite to her party! I mean, who does that?!” Jack was standing up with his hands gesturing wildly to show his disbelief. Right now, we were at his house, just fooling around. We were sitting around on the couch, exchanging opinions about my horrific failure today.          “So let me get this straight.” Adam sat up, and furrowed his eyebrows. “Kimberly Turner, the literal queen of the school, invited you, Tilly Crawford, a nobody—no offense—to her party, and you turned it down?!”          “W-well, yeah—” I opened my mouth to say more, but was drowned out by their laughter. “I-I mean, s-since when was I a p-p-party type of girl?          They paused for a bit, each one thinking of their own memories with me. Michael’s blonde hair was completely slicked back, and it was honestly funny to watch him. He hadn’t shaved in a while, so his stubble was turning into more of a beard. Adam, on the other hand, was completely opposite. He was clean shaven, and his auburn hair was in a bowl cut. He hated it, and the only reason he had to get it, was because Mike had stuck a piece of gum in his hair.          Jack smirked a bit. “I bet you were a party girl before you met us.”          I smiled a bit. “I was n-n-never a party t-type of girl. I-I thifnk my speech and a-anxiety disorder has t-to do with that. My s-s-stutter actually has b-been better since I m-met you guys.”          At that moment, the doorbell rang, and I groaned. I knew who it was, and I didn’t like it. Thomas got up to answer it, and my eyes followed him across the room, his light brown hair glittered from the glow of the setting sun, and his forest green eyes sparkled mischievously. In my opinion, he was extremely good looking, and I definitely felt something. I can’t believe I'm stupid enough to like a guy who doesn’t like me back.          “Hello? Earth to T-t-t-tilly?” Mike stuck his hand in front of my face, making me giggle a little. “What are you checking Thomas out for?”          Adam heard this, and I could literally see his ears perk up and his eyes brighten. “That would be so cute though! Tilly and Tom!”          I threw my head back and laughed like a maniac. This was how things were. Adam and Mike were constantly teasing me about my crush on Tom, and I would constantly try to keep Tom from finding out. It’s a miracle he hasn't yet. “Well, I highly d-doubt he’d f-find me ap-p-pealing.”          Jack, from across the room frowned, and pursed his lips. “I guess you two would look okay.”          Jeez, Jack. What’s with you today.          “Mike!” A horrible screech filled the air, and a wild bug with blonde hair and blue eyes flew into the room, and tackled poor Mike who was next to me. I immediately got up, and moved to the other side of the room, where Jack was. “Are you ready for our date tonight?”          Mike smiled tightly, his dislike for the girl was obvious to everyone but her.               

        “Yeah, Megan. About that—”

        “Don’t tell me you’re cancelling again?! You’re sister doesn't go to the ER that many times per week!” She stood up, hands on her hips, and her lips in an annoying pout. I snorted, and covered my mouth to prevent any other sound from escaping. So that was his excuse to Megan? Well, how ‘creative’.

         “No, no, no, it’s not that! It’s just—” Mike began to panic. His eyes darted to me, then to the other guys, full of pleading. “I-it’s just that Tilly’s been invited to Kimberly Turner’s party tonight and she’s given the invite to us!”           My mouth dropped open in shock, and so did everyone else’s. Didn’t we just have an entire conversation, and joke about this?! I declined it! By accident, but still, I had declined it! What is Michael King thinking?           “Oh my good lord, really?!” Megan leaped into the air, and turned to me. “Thank you so much Tilly!! That’s amazing news!!”            Of course she had to come bounding to me and wrap me in a tight bear hug. The guys were obviously trying hard not to laugh, and Mike looked extremely apologetic but also relieved. I clenched my jaw, rolled my eyes, and gave him a glare that bore right through his head.           “No p-problem, Megan. Maybe you should g-go home to ch-change? It is a p-party, and not so much o-of a f-f-fancy occasion.” I gestured slightly to her pink dress that seemed way too tight for her. Honestly, I was just buying time so I can fix the problem that Mike made. “Maybe something a b-b-bit more for p-partying?”           Megan beamed, and finally let go of me. “You’re completely right, Tilly. I should go change.  See you later Mike! Meet you at my house, 7:00?”          Mike let out a breath, and nodded. “Yeah, sounds good. Bye, Meg.”          I turned my body to face her as she walked away, a polite smile on my face. As soon as the door slammed, my smile dropped, replaced with a frown, and my attention was turned towards Mike. With my voice dangerously low, I started towards him. “Michael King. What in the heck were you thinking?!”


          “I’m sorry! I swear! I just panicked, and didn’t know what to say!” He got up, and tried to get behind the couch, but tripped, and ended up in the same position.“I’m sorry, I really am!”
 I got up in his face, and opened my mouth to yell at him some more, but then I just stopped. I dropped to my knees, and just stared at him tiredly. 

         “W-what am I s-s-supposed to do, Mike? I did not accept th-that invitation, therefore I c-cannot give it to you, and now I have to c-clean up the mess that you m-m-made!”           “I’m sorry, Tilly. I really am!”           “I know. B-but unfortunately, ‘sorry’ can’t fix this.” I got up, and sat next to him. “Now I have to d-do the one thing th-that I never wanted to d-do.”           “What are you going to do?” Tom, who was apparently holding a glass of milk now, rose an eyebrow at me.          I stood up, grabbed my jacket and sighed. Glancing again at Mike, I smiled tightly. “I'm gonna g-go ask Kimberly T-turner for that invite a-again.” With that, I turned around and walked out of the house.                                                          ***          I stood on the porch of a nice little blue cottage, just a little out of the town. Who would have ever thought that ‘Queen Kimberly’ lived here? I pushed my thumb into the doorbell, and stepped back. I don’t even know what to say! I mean, what am I supposed to do? Hey Kimberly. It’s me, Tilly, the girl that turned down the offer to your party tonight. Can I have another one? No, I can’t say that.          “Hello?” An old looking woman stood in the doorway. “Can I help you?” I jumped a bit. Didn't notice her. Okay, here we go. “Hi, m-my name is Tilly C-crawford. Is K-k-kimberly Turner h-here?”          “You’re looking for Kimberly?” The old woman smiled kindly. “I’m her grandmother, Anne. I’ll go get her for you. Why don’t you come inside? I’ve just put the cookies in the oven.”           Carefully stepping into the house, I followed Anne. Halfway in, I got tackled by tiny chihuahuas. Not one, not two, SIX!! SIX FREAKING CHIHUAHUAS tackled me! Obviously, I was screaming my head off, which brought Anne’s attention to me, but also brought someone bustling down the stairs.           “What’s going on?! GRANNY!” A familiar prissy voice rang from the stairway. “Ana, Alicia, Angie, Aura, Ava, Alexa!! Heel! Now! HEEL!!”           The six little monsters climbed off me, but still sat around me, panting. Anne came hurrying towards me, with a slight frown on her face. “Sorry, dear, these old legs aren’t getting me anywhere these days.”           I smiled a bit, but I was still really confused. Who had shouted for them to heel? I feel like I know that voice, but I really couldn’t put my finger on it. That was, until they showed up.           “Tilly? Is that you?” There she was. Kimberly Turner, the queen of the school. Wearing loose sweat pants and a worn out Hello Kitty shirt with her hair piled messily on her head? “What are you doing at my house?”          I shook my head a bit, taking a second look at her, but sure enough, it was Kimberly. Hello Kitty shirt and all. “U-uh, yeah. I-it’s me, T-tilly. H-hey Kimberly.”          “Um, hey.” She rose an eyebrow at me, but then shrugged. Walking forward, she held a hand out to me. I took it, and she pulled me up. Brushing myself off, I took a third look at Kimberly. She doesn’t seem like a queen from this point. “So, why are you here?”          I looked down to my toes. Now, how was I supposed to say this? “U-um, so you know how I-I kind of t-t-turned down your offer to your p-party?”          She stiffened. Letting her eye roll a bit, she nodded. “Yeah, what about it?”


         “C-can I t-t-take you up on that o-offer?” I cringed inwardly. “I-I mean, c-could, I still g-get tha—I’m s-sorry, could I still g-go?”          She rose her eyebrows at me, and smiled a bit. “Are you asking if you could come to my party tonight?”           “Y-yeah.” I nodded slightly.          “Sure, why not.” She smiled, making her grey eyes sparkle a bit. “Actually, can you do me a couple favours?”          “Yeah, s-sure. Anything.” It was the least I could do. I mean, I did turn down an offer to her party, and asked for it back.           “Invite a couple more people.” She scrunched up her face, and ran her hands through her ginger hair. “And, you know that friend of yours? The one with the cute auburn bowl cut, and hazel eyes?”           Furrowing my eyebrows, I thought about it. Bowl cut? Definitely Adam. “Y-you mean, A-adam?”          “Oh yeah, that’s his name.” She snapped her fingers. “Yeah, him. Could you get me a date with him? Or at least a meet-up or something?”          “Yeah, I-I guess.” I mean, what guy doesn’t want a date with Kimberly Turner, the queen of the school?          “Okay, it’s settled then.” She clapped her hands, and smiled. “Need anything else?”           “Um, no. I-I should get back to the g-guys.”          “M’kay, see you tonight!” She led me to the door, and stood there, presumably waiting for me to walk away.                                                               ***          “GUYS!” I walked back into Jack’s house, and slammed the door. “I’VE GOT N-NEWS!!!”          Mike with his slicked back hair now messed up, came sliding(literally) in front of me, his eyes wild. “Tilly! You’re back with news! What is it?!”          Adam came walking calmly and stood next to him. “How do you even stutter when you yell?”          I cocked my head a bit. Well, that was random. “Kimberly said y-yes.” Mike jumped into the air, whooping. “YES! YES! THANK YOU, TILLY!!!!!” Then, he ran off, supposedly upstairs.          I just shook my head, and turned to Adam. “He really n-needs to break up with M-m-megan. Oh yeah, and K-kimberly wants a d-date with you.”          His jaw dropped to the floor. “WHAT?! KIMBERLY, THE QUEEN OF THE SCHOOL WANTS A DATE WITH ME?! A BASIC NOBODY?! WHAT THE FU—”          I covered his mouth. “Language, Adam! Or I’ll w-wash out that mouth of yours with s-soap! And yes, Kimberly w-wants a date with you. N-now, if I were you, I’d go g-get ready for a p-party.”           “Party? What party?” Jack and Tom walked into my sights, and both were confused. If you guys had been part of the conversation, you’d know, right?           “Kimberly a-agreed to the invite to her p-party.” I smiled. “She said that we should all g-go.”           “Really?” Jack raised an eyebrow. He opened his mouth to say some more, but there was a sudden crash from upstairs. “Oh dear, I hope Mike’s not raiding my closet again.”            He quickly hurried off, with Adam behind him, who was muttering something about a tux. No, don't where a tux, Adam. That’s not a good idea. Tom and I became the only ones that were still standing there. Trying to reduce the awkwardness, I bent down to tie my sneakers up, and then got up to take my jacket off. Tom just stood there, not knowing what to do.           “So, we’re going to the party, huh?           “Y-yeah.” I smiled a bit, before moving to go towards the living room. He followed me in.           “I should probably go get ready.” He nodded a bit, but I felt like he was more asking me if he should go get ready.           “M-maybe you should.” I nodded a bit. He turned around to go upstairs, and I turned around to get my stuff because I needed to get ready for the party. I walked towards the door, and I literally felt his eyes dig a hole in me, as I walked pass, but I did my best to ignore it. Just as I reached the front door, he spoke.           “Tilly, wait.” I turned to look at him.           “Y-yeah?”           “Doyouwanttogotothepartywithme?”          I chuckled a little. “I-I’m sorry.”          He let out a breathe. “Would you like to go to the party with me?”          I smiled. “I thought you’d n-never ask.”                                                         ***          I looked in the mirror at myself. I didn’t look half bad. The emerald green dress I’m wearing, sort of highlights my eyes but, also clashed a bit with my red hair. I had applied a bit of makeup, not too much, because I’m not that type of girl, and my hair was in a loose braid. I guess I’ll be fine. Sneaking out of my room, I made sure that my parents didn’t see me, and when I got outside, I made a run for it. As fast as I could in heels, anyway. Which really wasn’t that fast. When I got to Jack’s house(yes, the guys are hanging there again), I was out of breathe, and I honestly think I ruined my hair. I patted it down, and tucked in some loose strands, before knocking on the door. It took a while for them to answer, but I heard them thundering down the stairs.          It was Adam who opened the door, and dang, he looked snazzy. “Tilly?”          I ducked my head a bit. “Y-yeah.”          “I almost couldn’t recognise you!” He broke out in a smile. “Tom’s gonna lose his shi—”          “Language!” I rolled my eyes. “W-what is with you and s-swearing today?”          He lead me inside, and all the guys were in the living room. They looked slightly fancy, but none were wearing a tux, unlike Adam. They all took one look at me and did a double take. “Tilly? Is that you?”          I sighed. Why is everyone asking me that? “Yes, it’s m-me.”          Tom stood up and his face was priceless. His eyes were bigger than watermelons, and his mouth was wide open. I’ve got to say, he didn’t look that bad himself. He was wearing a dress shirt with no tie(thank goodness), and his normal jeans. I could tell he tried to brush his hair, but it didn’t work out, because his light brown hair still stuck out, all over. “Y-you look nice, T-t-t-tilly.”          I smirked. “Catching on to my s-s-s-stutter, Tom?”          The guys laughed as Tom turned tomato red, and I bit back a laugh. Mike threw his hands up dramatically. “You guys, come on! Stop flirting! Some of us actually need to get to our dates, you know?”          Me and Tom ended up walking to the party, because the others were taking their sweet time. We walked in a comfortable silence.          “So are you excited?” He looked at me, and smirked.          “F-for what?”          “The party, what else?”         “Y-yeah. It’s actually my f-first party ever s-since I reached my t-teenager years.”          “Really? Well, I’m honoured to have you spend your first party with me.”           “I’m glad my f-first party is w-with you.” I smiled, and we walked on in peace.                                                            ***           Lights flashing. Music blaring. People dancing around like they’re animals. So this is my first party.           Tom walked over to me, with drinks in his hands, and offered one to me.       “Want one?”            I scrunched up my eyebrows. “W-what is it?”            He shrugged. “Not sure, but it’s really good!”


           “Nah, I’m g-good.”            “Suit yourself.” He immediately drank both, one close after the other.            “Hey, do you want to get out of here?”            “Sure, why not?” I was tired of the music anyway. “Hang on, l-let me go tell J-jack.”            I slipped through the crowd, looking for Jack. When I finally found him, he was off in a corner, just watching everyone. “J-jack!”
 He looked towards me, and got up from his position. “Tilly. How’s it going?”           “M-me and T-t-tom are gonna g-go somewhere.” I gestured towards the door. “Tell the others.”           I turned around to go, but he quickly grabbed my hand, and turned me around. “Don’t go with Tom. That’s not a good idea. You don’t know what he’s gonna do. Don’t go, Tilly. Listen to me, your friend. Don’t go.”          “W-what’s wrong with y-you?”          “Nothing! I just want you to be safe!”          “K-keeping me away f-from my friend, is keeping me s-safe?”          He shook his head, and sighed. “Why can’t you just listen to me?          I tried to pull my hand away from him, but failed. How dare he talk that way about Tom! He was his friend! “Y-you don’t know what you’re t-talking about. You’re his friend. You shouldn’t t-talk that way about him.”          “The only friend I’m seeing right now, is you, and I’m trying to help you.”          “Help me? From what? Right now all I see, is you trying to stop me from having a good time! But guess what, Jack?! I’m my own person!” My hands were shaking from rage, and suddenly, my vision went red from anger.          Jack suddenly let go of me, and stumbled back. My vision went back to normal, and I saw Jack kneeling on the floor, clutching his nose. My knuckles were bloody, and so was his face.          Jack got to his feet, hands still holding his nose, but his eyes were hard. “Alright. Suit yourself, Tilly. It’s your choice. Me or him. You decide. But remember, all actions have consequences.”           With that, he walked away, leaving me standing there with his words echoing around in my head. All actions have consequences. What did he mean? I let a breath out. If he was going to turn on his friend, then he can do that. I’m gonna stand by Tom’s side. I brushed myself off, and left to find Tom. He was standing by the door, with his jacket on his arm, and he was holding mine for me. “How did it go?”           I shook my head. “I d-don’t want to t-talk about it.”          So we didn’t talk about it. He took my hand and led me to……..I actually don't know where it was, but it wasn’t that far from the party. It was an old abandoned building with broken windows, and some of them had black tarp covering them. Basically, it was plain creepy. We walked in, and I took a look around. There were empty and smashed bottles around, and graffiti all over the walls. What an aesthetically made place. Tom walked into the middle of the room, and spread his arms around. “What do you think?”        I smiled tightly. “Aesthetic.”        “Really?” He rose an eyebrow, and smirked. “Aesthetic?”        “Y-yeah, I g-guess.”         “Alright.” He nodded. “So what do you want to do?”         “I-I don’t know. What d-do you want to d-do?” I shrugged.         “How about, we let some steam out  ?” He smirked, and went to a corner of the room. He pulled off the cover of a box, and got out a box. “How about something to blow off some steam?”          I squinted my eyes. What was he holding? Is that— “Spray paint? And what’s in that bottle?”          “Graffiti your initials on the wall, and we can celebrate.”          “Celebrate what?”          “Us.”          “Us?”          “Yeah, us. Together.”          I thought about it, and nodded. “Sure, why not.”          I grabbed a bottle of green spray paint, and went to a blank space of the wall. I raised it up, and was going to start with a T, but paused, and started with an A instead.         “A. C.? I thought it was Tilly Crawford.”         I shook my head. “Its A-ashley. Ashley C-crawford, but only my d-dad and stepm-mom call me that. You guys know me as T-tilly, though.”          “Why? Where’d you think of Tilly?”         “My mom d-died a few weeks before I turned 6, and she used to c-call me Tilly.”           “I’m sorry.”          “D-don’t be.” I smiled tightly. “It’s not your f-fault. It was s-simply cancer.” He nodded, and we stood in silence, looking at our artwork. It wasn’t half bad; it was simple but fancy as well. A.C.+T.H. Ashley Crawford and Thomas Hall.          “So, why don’t you like to be called Ashley?”          “I’m sorry, I-I don't want t-to talk about i-it.” Sighing, I faced him, and held my hand out. “S-so how about b-blowing steam o-off?”                                                          ***            Red and blue lights flashed in my face, and my vision was blurry. My neck hurt, and I was lying in an awkward position. I blinked multiple times, and sat up, still a bit groggy. I looked around for Tom, but he wasn’t in sight. The room was a mess, though. All the windows were broken, and broke bottle pieces were all over the place. I slightly remember breaking the bottles on the pieces, but what was with the windows? I got to my feet, and stumbled to the side but held the wall, which supported me. People, walked into the room with their arms in front of them, or were they holding something? “Miss, please step forward with your arms on your head, slowly.”           My face was probably full of confusion, but I did it anyway. One person came over to me, and held my arms behind my back, and I felt the cold, metal surface of the handcuffs on my wrist. What is going on? “Ashley Crawford, you’re under arrest for trespassing and vandalism. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will be used against you.”           “U-under arrest? W-w-w-why?” They didn't answer me, but just kept walking me towards the entrance. When I got outside, there were crowds gathered around the building. Squinting my eyes at the crowd, I recognise a head of light brown hair, and a set of eyes as green as the forest across my house. Thomas. “Tom! T-tom!!”           The officers just kept pulling me across the pavement, nearer and nearer to the police car. I kept calling out to Tom, but he didn’t answer. All he did was smirk, and cock his head at me. I was shoved in the car, but I still struggled against my restraints. What was going on? Why did Tom just stand there? And why was I being arrested? It seemed that no answers was going to be provided, but I don’t think I really needed it. I was messing around with Tom; I pass out; he’s gone; the place was chaotic; I'm arrested; I see Tom, yet he doesn’t answer me. I knew what it meant, what happened. But I don’t want to admit it. Soon enough, we reached the police station; I was escorted out of the car, and into the station. There, I was put into a cell, next to some other guy that had long hair and tight leather pants. I backed as far away from him as possible. The door slammed, and I turned around. There he was, again. Tom.          “Hey, Tilly.” He walked in front of my cell. “Or should I say, Ashley?”          “D-don’t call me that.” I slammed my palms against the bars. “H-how are you e-even in here? H-help me! You know I-I didn’t do it, h-help me!”           All he did was shake his head. He sat down on the bench across my cell, and looked at me. “Sorry, can’t do that. You see, Ashley, my friends and I go there, and we would rather not get caught, you know? Now, when you came along, that was our opportunity. You could just carry all this blame, and we could continue. The hiding would end for us.”          I didn’t know what to say. “So, M-mike, Adam, you, J-j-jack; it was all f-fake?”          “I guess. But not Jack. He didn’t like lying to you, and he warned you, remember? Last night, he told you not to come. You just didn’t listen.”           It all came crashing down on me. Mike, Adam and Tom had always been lying to me? “So you’ve b-been lying to me.”           “You could say that.” He shrugged, and got up. “Well, you should have listened to Jack. You really should have.”            As he walked out, I sat down on the floor. Jack’s words rang around my head again. All actions have consequences. He was right. I should have listened; I never shouldn't have trusted Tom. If I had, I wouldn’t be alone right now.            I’m all alone.

My children's book didn't end up to really be much like a "children's book". It was a lot more like something I read when I was around 8, and because I was quite fond of reading; I read at a higher level, and usually were about more mature subjects. In my own opinion, i did a pretty good job with the plot line, and the lesson i was supposed to teach; all actions have consequences, but it does seem a bit more mature for little kids. In a way, i did hint that she might've been drinking alcohol, and had somewhat abusive parents, which is in no way, appropriate for an 8 year old to read. In some ways, I do regret the things I put my character through, but I had a hard time showing whatever it was through other forms, that through what I knew best; more mature topics. Come to think of it, I could have talked about how a kid stole his friend's stuff, and ended up being punished for it. I think back then I thought it was my best work was because I put a lot of detail into it. The amount of details I put in showed a lot of emotions that were played with in the story.